As a multi-track recording program, Audacity can be a great support for your curriculum. The individual teacher will know best where this program will fit into his/her courses; however, the following examples/considerations might provide some guidance.
Accessibility to and Ease of Use of the Program
Anyone can get a copy of Audacity by simply downloading it. There are no costs associated and, as digitally based recording programs go, it is remarkable easy to use. If you have a computer with a microphone input (almost all do) you can use Audacity. Also, it is important to note that if our students are capable of creating and saving word processing files, they can do the same with Audacity files.
Analog to Digital Recording
It is very easy with this program to convert analog recordings to digital. In English this means that you can easily convert your cassette tapes to digital format. Once this is done you can burn these to cd. This might be of particular benefit to special needs, music and French teachers who may be using older materials on cassette. These materials can also be saved to your laptop so they _re always accessible.
Storage and Movement of Files
The good thing about Audacity is that files are easy to store and to move around. As an example you could set up a folder for each student and then save a couple of speaking samples into the folder. If you wanted to send these to files parents, they can be emailed. The files are in MP3 format so they can be read by parents as long as they have a program like Quicktime or Windows Media Player.
Specific Subject Areas
The capabilities of this program allow it to have implications for a number of programs. While he examples I have listed below might relate to specific subject areas, there may also be some crossover to other subjects.
English Language Arts Speaking. This is where Audacity can be a tremendous tool. It is very easy to record speaking samples. These maybe a part of formal public speaking events, or simply off-the-cuff speaking. For the student this is an invaluable, formative assessment tool because it allows them to hear themselves as they sound to others. This can be better than any comments that a teacher might provide. Using recorded samples of public speaking provides an excellent way to teach using exemplars.
Reading.With Audacity teachers can have records of students reading. Several recordings can be made and saved for each student, providing an excellent assessment tool to judge any improvement that might occur throughout the year.
Creative Writing.Try using Audacity in creative writing applications. For example, have them write and record a radio play or advertisement. For poetry it is an excellent tool to use for teaching to write poetry within specific rhythms.
Note: Audacity to Promote Language Arts Across the Curriculum. Many of the activities listed above fall into the realm of Language Arts; however, they are activities that can be applied to virtually any subject.
Try using Audacity as a tool to recreate radio programming from the past. For example, have students create radio _specials _ announcing events such as VE Day, the sinking of the S.S. Caribou, the announcement of the great sealing disaster of 1914. Have students make up and perform songs depicting important cultural or historical events.
Try using Audacity to create public service ads re. topics like smoking, drug abuse, safety, respect, fairness, etc. Remember that these can be posted on teacher/school websites adding a social action element to projects.
The benefits of Audacity have already been shown at Clarenville Middle School for music students. Beginner band students were recorded, their samples being placed on Mr. Drover _s website. This enabled students to gain an invaluable understanding of how they actually sound. In my case, this was a great motivator for my children to practice! You can also use the program to encourage music composition. With proper editing, and considerations for copyright it has the potential to be an excellent fund. Again, it _s a great way to highlight great performances.
If you are looking for a program to enhance Technology programs, this is a good place to start. Audacity would be easy for students to learn, it is hands on, and it allows the student to produce any number of different types of final product. This is also made easier now with the addition of the two recording workstations.
The benefits of Audacity as a reading aid have been discussed earlier. The program can also be used effectively in cases of oral testing, or in cases where students experience difficulty with writing. Again, from the point of storage and movement of files. This program has great benefits.
Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder. Students can use audacity to record podcasts on various math topics as part of multimedia projects. They can use audacity to explain new terms, describe a math process like the steps to solving an equation, record a song describing a math concept, or record tutoring tips for other classmates. The ideas are limitless with this easy to use program. Teachers can also use this program to post messages on their web pages for students or for parents.
Clearly some subjects are suited more to the use of Audacity than others; however, we must not preclude that the program has no use within subjects like math and science. Currently the grade 6 students are recording a song based on the planets. Again, think about using the program to create public service ads dealing with environmental responsibility. As for Math - why not, it just requires a bit more imagination. One thing is for sure - the students will enjoy the experience and they can learn from it.
LAME encoder file: lame encoder.zip
Audacity Considerations and Applications
As a multi-track recording program, Audacity can be a great support for your
curriculum. The individual teacher will know best where this program will fit
into his/her courses; however, the following examples/considerations might
provide some guidance.
Accessibility to and Ease of Use of the Program
Anyone can get a copy of Audacity by simply downloading it. There are no
costs associated and, as digitally based recording programs go, it is
remarkable easy to use. If you have a computer with a microphone input
(almost all do) you can use Audacity. Also, it is important to note that if our
students are capable of creating and saving word processing files, they can do
the same with Audacity files.
Analog to Digital Recording
It is very easy with this program to convert analog recordings to digital. In
English this means that you can easily convert your cassette tapes to digital
format. Once this is done you can burn these to cd. This might be of
particular benefit to special needs, music and French teachers who may be
using older materials on cassette. These materials can also be saved to your
laptop so they _re always accessible.
Storage and Movement of Files
The good thing about Audacity is that files are easy to store and to move
around. As an example you could set up a folder for each student and then
save a couple of speaking samples into the folder. If you wanted to send these
to files parents, they can be emailed. The files are in MP3 format so they can
be read by parents as long as they have a program like Quicktime or
Windows Media Player.
Specific Subject Areas
The capabilities of this program allow it to have implications for a number of
programs. While he examples I have listed below might relate to specific
subject areas, there may also be some crossover to other subjects.
English Language Arts
Speaking. This is where Audacity can be a tremendous tool. It is very easy to
record speaking samples. These maybe a part of formal public speaking
events, or simply off-the-cuff speaking. For the student this is an invaluable,
formative assessment tool because it allows them to hear themselves as they
sound to others. This can be better than any comments that a teacher might
provide. Using recorded samples of public speaking provides an excellent
way to teach using exemplars.
Reading.With Audacity teachers can have records of students reading.
Several recordings can be made and saved for each student, providing an
excellent assessment tool to judge any improvement that might occur
throughout the year.
Creative Writing.Try using Audacity in creative writing applications. For
example, have them write and record a radio play or advertisement. For
poetry it is an excellent tool to use for teaching to write poetry within specific
rhythms.
Note: Audacity to Promote Language Arts Across the Curriculum.
Many of the activities listed above fall into the realm of Language Arts; however, they are activities that
can be applied to virtually any subject.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://projects.cbe.ab.ca/area5/hww/promising_practice_using_technology_in_high_school_english_language_arts_and_french_as_a_second_language_podcasts_premiere_d2l_and_photoshop.html
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
http://ignite.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Historical+Fiction+Novel+Audacity+Project
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
Pod-suasive_ELA example.docx
Social Studies
Try using Audacity as a tool to recreate radio programming from the past. For
example, have students create radio _specials _ announcing events such as VE
Day, the sinking of the S.S. Caribou, the announcement of the great sealing
disaster of 1914. Have students make up and perform songs depicting
important cultural or historical events.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://portablepd.edublogs.org/2009/04/05/social-studies-with-audacity/
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
http://ignite.wikis.birmingham.k12.mi.us/Historical+Fiction+Novel+Audacity+Project
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
http://techforthesocialstudiesclassroom.blogspot.com/2010/10/audacity.html
http://thwt.org/index.php/presentations-multimedia/podcasts
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
Health Education
Try using Audacity to create public service ads re. topics like smoking, drug
abuse, safety, respect, fairness, etc. Remember that these can be posted on
teacher/school websites adding a social action element to projects.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
Music
The benefits of Audacity have already been shown at Clarenville Middle
School for music students. Beginner band students were recorded, their
samples being placed on Mr. Drover _s website. This enabled students to gain
an invaluable understanding of how they actually sound. In my case, this was
a great motivator for my children to practice! You can also use the program
to encourage music composition. With proper editing, and considerations for
copyright it has the potential to be an excellent fund. Again, it _s a great way
to highlight great performances.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
Technology
If you are looking for a program to enhance Technology programs, this is a
good place to start. Audacity would be easy for students to learn, it is hands
on, and it allows the student to produce any number of different types of final
product. This is also made easier now with the addition of the two recording
workstations.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
Special Needs
The benefits of Audacity as a reading aid have been discussed earlier. The
program can also be used effectively in cases of oral testing, or in cases
where students experience difficulty with writing. Again, from the point of
storage and movement of files. This program has great benefits.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
Pod-suasive_ELA example.docx
Math and Science
Audacity is a free audio editor and recorder. Students can use audacity to
record podcasts on various math topics as part of multimedia projects. They
can use audacity to explain new terms, describe a math process like the steps
to solving an equation, record a song describing a math concept, or record
tutoring tips for other classmates. The ideas are limitless with this easy to use
program. Teachers can also use this program to post messages on their web
pages for students or for parents.
Clearly some subjects are suited more to the use of Audacity than others;
however, we must not preclude that the program has no use within subjects
like math and science. Currently the grade 6 students are recording a song
based on the planets. Again, think about using the program to create public
service ads dealing with environmental responsibility. As for Math - why not,
it just requires a bit more imagination. One thing is for sure - the students will
enjoy the experience and they can learn from it.
http://audacityined.wikispaces.com/education
http://www.packtpub.com/article/enhancing-math-teaching-using-moodle-1.9-part1
http://courses.moodleshare.com/course/view.php?id=58
http://mrbelanger.blogspot.com/2008/09/science-class-using-audacity.html
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf
WAVES-Science Lesson Plan.pdf
Foreign Language
http://projects.cbe.ab.ca/area5/hww/promising_practice_using_technology_in_high_school_english_language_arts_and_french_as_a_second_language_podcasts_premiere_d2l_and_photoshop.html
http://life-long-learners.com/tag/audacity/
https://wiki.itap.purdue.edu/display/INSITE/Audacity
Audacity Practice.docx
Audacity.pptx
Podcasting with Audacity Software and Podbean.pdf